Monster Girl Menagerie - Celestial Archive-Chapter 65 - 63 - Good-natured

[Author's Note: I apologise for not having uploaded the past couple of days. I hadn't been well and couldn't write. I will try to compensate in the upcoming for all the missed days. Thank You.]

I realized the difference the moment I laid eyes on him. His posture was less stiff, his features more relaxed—unburdened, if I had to name it.

Captain Aldrin no longer looked like the battle-worn man shouldering a heavy weight; instead, he resembled someone who found joy in the simple act of teaching. Yet, I couldn't ignore the hardness beneath it all—this was a man who had seen death and fought to keep it at bay.

He saw us before we finished the last stretch leading into the training field—its surface a mix of hard-packed dirt and fine sand—and waved at us. Arianna and I halted just behind, and I shot her a curious look.

Soon enough, the man galloped toward us, and as his face came into view, I noticed the perspiration and dirt coating his skin. He ground to a halt right before us, his gaze shifting from one person to the next until it finally settled on Arianna.

"My Lady," the man said, "I thank you for the help you have offered my guests—for leading them here, I mean."

"Nothing to speak of, Aldrin," Arianna replied, shaking her head. "Though I had no idea a man of your standing would entertain such rude guests." She punctuated her words with a curt glare in my direction.

"My Lady?" Aldrin's expression was one of confusion.

"Hum," I interjected. "I think what she means is that you should have warned your guards beforehand, so they wouldn't have been rude."

Aldrin somehow looked even more confused, but I wasn't about to engage in another pointless argument and tempt my inner self. Instead, I extended my hand with a smile and said, "It's nice to meet you again, Captain Aldrin."

"Likewise," the bulkier man said. He then turned to Amara and dipped his head low. "I understand my words mean nothing—and even less to a person like you—but please accept my bow of gratitude." He paused, his head sinking lower. "Thank you for saving my men and our land."

Amara offered a terse nod, not bothering with any acknowledgment. It might have come off as rude to a normal person, but when you deal with Hunters on a daily basis, you get used to the attitude of those above you.

Having offered his bow, Aldrin straightened and motioned forward. He walked, and we fell in line beside him.

"Captain Aldrin," Pyra spoke, drawing his attention. "I recently came across some rumors—something about us dying in the forest. You wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

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Hearing her words, uttered with such seriousness, Captain Aldrin looked slightly troubled. I couldn't keep the smirk from stretching across my face, knowing that Pyra had meant to frame it as curiosity while her real goal had been to provoke some kind of reaction that would satisfy her mischievous tastes.

"Oh, that," Aldrin said, hesitating for a brief moment before sighing. "Well, you see, the four you took with you before had some friends within the camp. They probably realized your intentions toward their friends were less than noble. But since they lacked the strength to voice their concerns directly, they started spreading rumors about you.

"I managed to shut them down before things could escalate, but then you didn't appear the next day, or the day after, and another rumor began. This time, unfortunately, I had no real evidence linking it to them as the source."

Interesting, I thought. Those four managed to be a bother even after their death.

"That said," Aldrin added, "I don't think we've met before. Were you perhaps staying outside the camp?"

More like staying outside the world, I mused inwardly but chose not to answer on her behalf. Still, his words stirred a twinge of concern within me. The fact that new women kept appearing out of thin air around me—and all of them boasting a respectable amount of strength—did tend to stand out.

Unfortunately for me, I had no real solution to that problem, other than complete isolation. But I didn't want that. Not only would it hinder my ability to gather information and uncover the truth about my Origin, but it would also mean that new summons like Pyra would be denied the chance to explore and admire the sights of a world entirely foreign to them.

"Indeed, I was," Pyra answered, keeping her gaze forward. "Why, I thought to act as backup in case they needed help extricating themselves. You know, in case the people proved less than courteous."

A pregnant pause followed before Aldrin burst into laughter. "In that case, I'm glad I asked for their help."

I watched the scene unfold with a touch of affection and a deep desire to preserve it. The rest of our walk was filled with easy conversation and good-natured laughter. Pyra expertly steered the focus away from my earlier act of... spontaneity. Not that Arianna made any attempt to drag the topic back into the arena for another beating.

Thinking of Arianna drew a frown to my face as I watched her attempt—and fail—to engage Amara in conversation. Really, it felt more like flinging loose threads and hoping one would stick.

On one hand, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. On the other, my vindictive side took great joy in watching her flounder through yet another failed exchange.

"As promised, you'll have your discourse with the Baron," Aldrin said, rounding a corner.

"Hm." Arianna perked up, glancing at us before turning to Aldrin. "Wait, they're here to meet Father?"

"Well, yes, My Lady." He nodded.

"Then I'm afraid they'll have to wait a bit longer—Father is already in a meeting."

I exchanged a quick glance with Amara before speaking. "If it won't take long, I don't mind waiting."

"We understand the Baron has much to do, so you won't hear any complaints from us," Tania added.

"Alright, then let's move inside," Arianna said, leading us through the portal into an expansive hall.

The floor was polished marble, softened by an expensive rug. To one side, a lounging area featured plush sofas and baskets overflowing with fruit. On the other, a well-stocked bar gleamed under the flickering candlelight from chandeliers above.

Thick vaults lined the walls, curving up to the ceiling, their sides adorned with glistening gems. And in the center—surrounded by an array of chandeliers casting a dim glow—loomed a single resplendent crystal chandelier, its brilliance stark against the others.

For the briefest moment, I was overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur of the place. It was my first time standing before something of this scale, and I had expected better of myself. Thankfully, I didn't stand there gawking.

After a cursory sweep of the room, I followed the others. If Arianna thought she could elicit any reaction from me with her smug expression, she was bound to be disappointed. I maintained a stoic demeanor—even as my treacherous fingers twitched ever so slightly.

It must be the change in atmosphere, I decided. Definitely the change in atmosphere.

Arianna led us toward the hallway and further inside. After rounding the corner, a short walk away stood a pair of wooden doors carved with exquisite designs resembling vines. We found ourselves with our backs against the wall as we waited.

"So," Arianna said, apparently not dissuaded after multiple failed attempts at conversing with Amara, "are you from The Empire?"

Amara, as expected, answered with a simple, "No."

Arianna fell silent, looking down at her feet. I couldn't help but wonder if she was trying to think up another topic that might catch Amara's interest—though she was bound to be disappointed. It wasn't that Amara was boorish; she simply seemed lost in thought lately. Though concern reared its head once more, I squashed the feeling and focused ahead.

For a moment, silence fell over the group, broken only by the quiet breathing of those around me. Time passed, and I found myself wondering if we should retire for the moment and seek an audience tomorrow.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, the groan of hinges creaking under the weight of the heavy doors filled the air. They opened slightly, just enough to allow a single person to pass through, and we watched as a young man walked out.

His black hair was neatly combed and slick with oil, and his clothes appeared opulent, the clean, ironed fabric fitting his muscular physique perfectly.

He paused as he spotted our group, surprise flashing across his face before he turned to Arianna. "Oh, Arianna," he said, "what a coincidence. I was actually coming to look for you."

Arianna groaned quietly but forced a smile as she regarded the man. "Cardin, I see your meeting with my father went well."

The man, Cardin, let out a light laugh and shook his head. "I wish that were the case, my dear, but unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be."

"That's unfortunate indeed," she said, though her tone suggested otherwise.

"Anyhow, would you care to accompany me to the gates? I will be leaving for home today," Cardin said, offering a smile.

Arianna looked at us, her gaze lingering on Amara longer than I liked, before turning back to Cardin. "Sure," she said, nodding. "I wouldn't mind playing your escort." Then she turned back toward us. "Captain Aldrin, please escort your guests to my father. I will meet you afterward."

Aldrin gave a nod of acknowledgment, and we watched as Cardin and Arianna walked away.

"If you will," Aldrin gestured toward the open doors, and I nodded, stepping forward.

It was time to meet the Baron.

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